CAN YOU PLAY THIS RIFF? HOCUS POCUS Ep.27 

Any Suggestion for next episode? Let me know if there are some killer RIFFS you want me to look into!

Focus were an absolutely phenomenal band - Focus III and Hamburger Concerto were my favourites. They had such a unique sound - don't know any other band that sounded remotely like them.

Many people focus on Jan Akkerman's virtuoso soloing (and rightly so), Akkerman (and all of Focus) was actually one of the best rythm players I have ever heard. The power of their music is for a large part in the small rythmical details..

Love the yodeling guitar, you nailed it as always. Thanks Pilgrim.

I like your attitude and discussion about the song. I never thought of using those two note intervals for the yodeling part. You presented some interesting insight and commentary in regards to the song . Thanks again !

Excellent! I'll be taking a look at this!

In an interview, the vocalist related that the yodeling came to be when they were rehearsing the song and he did it as a sort of joke. They then decided to record it that way because it worked so well for the composition. Great lesson as always!

fantastic man !!!!

Excellent! Great breakdown... and I second the request for Humble Pie! Thanks... 🤠

One of my first favorite bands and first live concert as a sophomore in high school. Focus opening for Joe Cocker. ❤

Never heard that funky intro version and I am in the US

Great selection. I remember this decades ago. The radio stations switched versions after it became popular later playing the Dutch intro version for as long as I can remember.

Awesome song. I always loved it. It rocks.

This could well be the last song I'd expect to see explained, and yet it was a great one and Well Done! This may force me to pull out my vinyl and use better ears. You have some great suggestions already--Love to hear some Humble Pie as well. Stay Well Groovy One!

This brings memories. Back in the day, this track (and the album it was part of) was very popular with my friends.

Very good job on this song, thank you

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yessss! Totally crazy song!! I adore it!!!

I bought this album back in the 70's, still have the original vinyl. Always thought it was much underrated.

Back in the day, working at GRT/Chess/Janus Records we got this number to reproduce on tape (8 track & cassette). The floor QA machine was always doing Jim Croce or something. The first time one of the splicer gals stuck Focus in the machine, pretty much the whole production floor stopped in their tracks. It was really quite revolutionary. Great group and all good musicians.

One of the First Prog Rock bands! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

That riff is not diffecult but the man who is playing it..... brutal! 😂

You can hocus and you can pocus, but there ain't no way you're gonna focus.

Ah, well done.

Nice!

Thanks for that. Great band and unique too. I can't think of another band like them. How about some Humble Pie? There's some great riffing from Peter Frampton and Steve Marriott on the Rockin' the Fillmore album. Specifically, I Don't Need No Doctor or Hallelujah I Love Her So.

Again. Your backing track is so tight.

Funny Denethor asking Pippin to sing for him while he could Yodel quite well himself

Not my cup of tea but I can see why you enjoy playing that riff Thom. Well done! Hope that you & your family are doing well. 👍👍🎸🎸

I don't know where you heard and called that funky beginning! Being American and was about 14 when that song Hocus Focus on the album Moving Waves was the way you started it ! I never heard of what you called the Amercan version of it ! I'm 64yrs old and you showing it on video was the first time I heard. I would not have bought the album if that's how it was! I love your videos and I'm subscribed but RU-vid algorithms are screwed up and haven't seen you for 2 months!

Never heard of this US version.....the original is the definitive version.

How about Steve Howe's in "Siberian Khatru" (Yes)?

Bands for the Next Video - STRIDER, TRAFFIC, STRAY, MOXY, PAINTER!!!

Can you Please do the guitar solo on Rush's Necromancer? Thank you. Kofi Nimo.

American version??! HELL NAWWW!!!

Colosseum, Lost Angeles

Bizarre piece of music.

Sweet riff. Yeah I could play it, it’s right up my alley. In guitar, your right hand is more important than your left, unless you’re like Jimi and Albert King… lefties. The groove is the thing.

Cool ,but need to describe which exact chords are being played,precisely. Too much guessing try to figure what is being played.but very cool video

Ask Gary Hoey.

ok awesome, guess I'll be slowing this one down.

But what is on your shirt?

Do you still have Lucille?

Ackerman is a great guitarist and this is a great song, except for the yodeling.

Suggestion: You didn't actually tell us what the chords are.

La versión de estudio es perfecta, pero en vivo la arruinan. Al final termina siendo un acto de comedia, el mismo riff suena ridículo cuando lo aceleran.

I can't stop staring at the stains on his shirt. You're making a guitar video - put on a clean shirt for god's sake! Maybe it's baby spit-up...if so, then it's OK. Great videos from GP...